Myanmar: Turban’s in Myanmar, is termed as GaungBaung which means turban wrap (an ethnic Burmese turban) – an important part of traditional dress for many groups of Northern Thailand, Burma, and Buddhist groups like Mon, Shan, Bamar, Rakhine and Tai Yuan. It was emerged in the midterm of the 20th century and was referred as maungkavithayay. In colonial times, the silk gaungbaungs became very famous as traditional wears at special ceremonies.
Presently, this ceremonial headwear is prevalent for beautification and a sign of rank among Shan and Arakanese groups. The contemporary designs and styles in here, vary from region to region and come in different fabrics like cotton and silk. The turban colors also matter for different ethnic groups like Shan prefer to wear skin, tan or cream color turbans while the Rakhine wear pink colored turban. Earlier, 4-5 feet long and 8-12 inches wide gaungbaung types were worn in a clockwise manner with left side tongue but now the varied dimensions are available for stylish turban. Also, the tongue styles of Mon and Burmese turban tongs have changed to rounded and sloping down while of Rakhines, fanned tongues have become their latest turban trend.
Africa: Different types of turbans had a long historical presence in Africa and were also significantly dressed by the sultans, artists, wazirs and region officials. The prominent Islamic leader of this region “Sheikh Abadir Umar Ar-Rida” has also styled his personality with fashionable turban wraps. Presently, the stylish headdresses are also worn by Muslim Clerics and Christian Priests in the Horn of Africa.
Ancient Egypt: Here, only Pharaoh carried a big striped cloth headdress along with the crown, while the others wore a turban with wigs. It was believed that more richer was the man, bigger would be the wig and more would be the ringlets on it.
Afghanistan: Afghanistan holds large communities of Muslims, but the first question that comes in our mind is: do muslim wear turban? Yes, they love to dress up themselves in different fashions and styles. The most important part of their attire is Turban, which is also a national dress for them. The headdress is worn in variable styles like largely and loosely wrapped turbans in the South-East Parts and Tighter and Smaller in Kabul. Traditionally, distinctive patterns are preferred for stylish turban like stripes, colorations, lengths and fabrics, which prominently extends the style statements.
Ancient Greece: In Greece, men and women wore different types of turbans as a symbol of pride and were allowed to go with uncovered head or without a turban, only when they were travelling from place to place. During this time, they used to put a light round felt cloth or hat along with fields which represented “Envoy of God on the Frescos”.
Bangladesh: The turban, in Sylhet and Chittagong of Bangladesh, is described as “Fagri” or “Pagri” and is worn by Islam Preachers and Religious leaders. The most preferred, stylish turban shade for Sufis of this region is green while others dressed in white.
Arabian Peninsula: In most parts of the Arabian Peninsula, colorful turban is particularly described as “Ghabanah”- Inherited cultural costume in Hijaz, Madinah, Mecca and Jeddah. It is a type of heritage uniform for prestigious, middle-class communities and traders. The commonly known “Hijazi Turbans” come in different shapes and extensions. Amongst a wide variety of colors, the yellow Halabi, fabricated in Aleppo, is quite famous for its different inscriptions and dome-like shape. The other notorious turban styles in Oman, Hadhramaut, Yemen and UAE are: Hamdaniyah style turban, Shumagh or White Ghutrah and Colorful turbans.
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